ADVERTISING
Want to advertise on beatthescene.com?
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

 

Portugal. The Man - "It's Complicated Being a Wizard"
Review by Taylor Juwig
R Released: February 27th, 2007

Label: Reincarnate Music

In January of 2006, Portugal. The Man released their debut album, "Waiter: You Vultures!". The astonishing debut blended many diverse genres together, making it near impossible to stereotype the band or label them with a single genre. The record was a seemingly promising start for the band. A little over one year later, Portugal. The Man release "It's Complicated Being a Wizard" and turn that "promising start" from an opinion to a fact. "It's Complicated Being a Wizard" is not only an EP but also an audio journey. Clocking in at twenty-three minutes, it is much longer than a normal EP but even after that length, you still are begging for more from the band.

The album is meant to be listened to non-stop and straight through. The first track is actually the following nine tracks combined into one, so the actual CD is really 46 minutes long, to be fair. All of the songs flow well into each other and don't let go of your ears. Transitions are a hit-or-miss; the band knows how to pull it off or they don't. Portugal. The Man hits it perfectly and has the best transitions since Lydia's "This December; It's One More and I'm Free". I recommend listening to "It's Complicated..." in it's entirety, in order, to avoid feeling confused at the end of a song. Each track is a piece of the puzzle and is necessary for completion.

"It's Complicated Being a Wizard" varies greatly from "Waited: You Vultures!", as it is beats-based. It is minimal on guitars and bass but filled with pianos, synthesizers, drum machines, effects and things of that nature. While their use of instruments is unique, Portugal's distinction from any other band comes from John Gourley's hauntingly beautiful vocals layered over the beats. Gourley uses his voice as instrument and plays it amazingly. He goes from fast, high-pitch tones to mellow and calm, soothing volumes.

While many bands release EPs as a filler to keep fans interested in between full-lengths, Portugal. The Man strays off the filler path and releases a masterpiece of an EP. And though it leaves you wanting more, "It's Complicated..." is more than enough to keep their fan's ears until their next full-length is released in the Fall.

Portugal. the Man's "It's Complicated Being a Wizard" is out now via Reincarnate Music. On Amazon.Com for $5.99 or iTunes for $3.99.

For fans of: The Mars Volta, Sigur Ros, Blood Brothers

If you dig Portugal, you might dig: Rendezvous with the Kidnappers, Danger:Radio, Celebration, Yellow The Vertical





INDEX | ARTICLES | INTERVIEWS | REVIEWS | PHOTOS | MEDIA | CONTESTS | STAFF
eXTReMe Tracker

ONLINE

� 2007 Beat The Scene. All Rights Reserved. All original content is the sole property of Beat The Scene. Nothing can be removed from the site without written permission from the site and artist.